"I first started working with Allen Lane in the spring of 2008 when we were recruiting a Director level finance person. They weren't one of our senior finance suppliers at that stage but, due to their sheer accuracy and professionalism, they now are. Lester Fernando is excellent and I would heartily recommend him and Allen Lane."

Andrew Kennedy

HR Manager, Recruitment & Retention

Metropolitan Housing Partnership

"I found it extremely positive working with you on the search for the new Finance Director. I certainly would have no hesitation in recommending you at all"

Lynn Thomas

Deputy Director General

IPPF

"I found David to be very supportive, friendly and easy to talk to. He gave me the confidence and support to ensure that I was successful in being appointed by the DfE. I have already recommended Allen Lane to a number of friends and colleagues."

Virdee Sukhjit

SCO Accountant

EFA

"Allen Lane's approach to this recruitment was professional and highly successful. Adrian quickly understood the role that I was looking to recruit to and was able to supply me with a shortlist of high quality candidates where more than one candidate was appointable. I would recommend Allen Lane to other organisations looking to recruit finance professionals."

Chay Champness

Chief Operating Officer

Croydon College

"We thought that we received value for money through a professional, timely and knowledgeable service and we believe that we found a great FD through your channeling"

Martin McCann

Chief Executive

RedR

"Allen Lane were able - very quickly and effectively - to really appreciate our business needs in our finance transformation project. Working as a collaborative partner they were then able to present a diverse selection of high calibre, top quality candidates to meet those needs."

Colin Bailey

Finance Director

Goodenough College

"I would recommend Adrian without hesitation. His understanding of healthcare and network of senior contacts across the NHS are second to none in his field. What really set Adrian apart from the rest was his ability and appetite to listen to my career ambitions openly and independently, and to provide constructive challenge and insight."

David Stacey

Manager

KPMG

"I have found Allen Lane to be an excellent business partner. I have been particularly impressed by their speed of response and knowledge of the market. It is also refreshing to deal with the same team over a long period of time so that a good relationship can be developed."

Paul Thomson

Deputy Finance Director

Notting Hill Housing Association

"I was given the details of David Godfrey some time ago by a colleague who managed to secure a new position through Allen Lane. My colleague stated that Allen Lane was the only agency they would use and that they actually put forward viable positions. I decided to register with David and was surprised with both the speed of delivery and knowledge of the market that he has. He shortlisted me for my current post and prepared me thoroughly for interview. I got a position I really wanted within two weeks of contacting Allen Lane!"

Tasfin Ahmed

Senior Manager – RHI Finance

OFGEM

"I am delighted to give Allen Lane a testimonial. We have had a number of vacant positions in the past, mainly for qualified Finance Manager positions. Allen Lane's team is helpful and friendly when helping us with recruitment. I definitely recommend them."

Mohammad Famili

Director

Medical Research Council

"Allen Lane provides a high quality and friendly service in helping us fill our staffing needs on both a temporary and permanent basis. They take time to find out is required in a candidate and ensure that, as well as having excellent technical skills that they will fit in the culture of the finance team and the organization"

Lisa Marsh

Head of Financial Management

CNWL

"The service we receive from Steve is top class. He is very committed and once Steve knows that we are looking to recruit he pulls out all the stops"

Sharon Daniels

Head of Financial Planning & Investments

Ealing Council

"I found it extremely helpful that Allen Lane quickly understood the role that I was looking to recruit to and were able to supply me with a short list of high quality candidates who were genuinely interested in the role. I've recommended them in the past and continue to do so."

Jason Beauchop

Assistant Director of Finance

Northwest London Specialised Commissioning Group

"Whether a client or candidate you can be sure that your relationship with Allen Lane will be individual, rewarding and importantly long lasting. I've known James in particular going on for 8 years, as a client he's helped me to recruit high calibre finance teams and as a candidate he's placed me in a number of challenging and CV enhancing roles. My individual circumstances and requirements are always understood and my expectations met through high quality service."

Craig Roberts

Senior Interim Manager

Ministry of Justice

"The service I received from Allen Lane was first class and Steve is a great asset to them. He made the whole recruitment process seamless and the aftercare service was second to none. He is someone I value very much in my role as Head of Schools Finance."

Ophelia Carter

Head of Schools Finance

The Learning Trust

"After the departure of our long serving Head of Finance, Allen Lane listened to our needs and provided us with a number of strong candidates, mainly from the private sector. They provided advice, flexibility and an excellent service and we appointed from the first round of interviews."

Mike Wilkins

Chief Executive

Chair, G20 Group of Housing Associations

"The service provided by Allen Lane has been professional and to a very high standard ensuring our needs were fully met. The excellent personable skills provided by Liam were carried through to the candidates they provided."

Ajay Bawa

Head of Financial Accounts

Ofsted

"We appointed Allen Lane to help us secure a Finance Director, a new appointment in our growing organisation. Maurice met with us, listened to our needs and challenged in areas we had not fully reconciled. His knowledge of the sector and research into suitable candidates led to an excellent shortlist. He supported us every step of the way. We have been able to appoint someone that met our criterion and who is fitting in really well to our organisation."

Sue Medway

Commercial and Operations Director

Design Museum

"We were very pleased with the manner in which Allen Lane handled the recruitment of our new Finance Director. They showed a quick grasp of the key features of our organisation, and the distinctly unusual aspects involved. The end result was an excellent candidate, who has settled into the role in the most exemplary way. The professionalism shown by the Allen Lane team gave us a smooth passage."

Martin Johnson

Director

The Thalidomide Trust

"I have used Allen Lane to recruit to a number of Human Resources posts within Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Even for the hard to fill posts in E-Rostering and Medical Staffing they have provided me with a range of high calibre candidate and I have never failed to appoint. They provide a prompt personal service, taking the time to discuss the role with me to ensure they source the right candidate. I would highly recommend Allen Lane to other organisations."

Sue Winter

Deputy Director of Human Resources

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

"Steve McKenzie has found me a Head of Finance to cover maternity leave and a Head of People Management to cover a vacancy. These have both been extremely successful appointments"

Christina Thompson

Divisional Director Resources

London Borough of Lambeth

"The quality of the candidates and their suitability for the role are the key things that we look for, and have got that from Allen Lane, so we don't have to shortlist ourselves. We are always kept up to date on progress...the service is always friendly and helpful."

Mike Piercy

Deputy Director of Finance

Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust

"Adrian Watts has provided me with excellent support throughout the last few years of my career. He has an exceptional knowledge of NHS finance and is keen to make sure that any employment opportunities are suited to my skills, experience and ambitions. His support doesn't begin and end with the recruitment process, but is ongoing, maintaining a keen interest in how my career is progressing, regularly providing advice, and listening and responding to any issues I may have."

Graham Henry

Finance & Contracting Lead

KHP

"Overall we felt you offered very professional service and good value for money. Although I haven't had any direct feedback I get the impression that you also looked after the unsuccessful candidates which is important for us"

Colin Heaton

Head of Human Resources

Coin Street Community Builders

"Allen Lane was successful in positioning me in my new role as a development accountant. I felt Allen Lane gave me a personalised service. They provided not only suitable roles that suit both my skill set and experience, but also advice on interviews and improvements to my CV. I would and have already recommended Allen Lane to friends and ex-colleagues."

Natalie Riley

Development Accountant

Central & Cecil

"It's been an absolute pleasure working with Allen Lane, who've now placed me on two occasions. I've found Adrian to be very professional and personable, providing frequent updates and making what can be an anxious process, run very smoothly. Thank you!"

John Daveney

Finance Manager

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

"The whole process from registration to being offered was very quick, simple and efficient... most helpful in selecting only suitable roles... I would have no problem in recommending Allen Lane to any friends, colleagues or organisations."

Amit Patel

Head of Management Accounts

Moorfields Eye Hospital

"Adrian has extensive knowledge of all aspects of the NHS, organisationally, culturally and at a more personal level. I found this to be invaluable when evaluating a transition into the NHS from the private sector. Adrian's experience in recruitment means he can question and challenge motivations and ambition intelligently ensuring the candidate and the organisation align. I would recommend Adrian to anyone who wishes to progress their career in the NHS."

Naomi Morris

Head of Finance

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

"I was impressed that at the outset Allen Lane wanted to meet me to discuss my experience and aspirations rather than rely on telephone conversations and a CV alone. Taking this time early on meant the opportunities recommended were a good match from both the recruiter's perspective and mine. I have already recommended Allen Lane to both job seekers and employers."

Harriet Jones

Director of Finance & Resources

Asthma UK

"Allen Lane identified a number of interesting opportunities that I might have passed over because they drilled into the job specification and matched it to relevant experience rather than taking it at face value. They were also very supportive throughout the interview process with preparation and feedback at each stage."

Tony Silcock

Finance Director

Coin Street Community Builders

"Using Allen Lane, we have successfully recruited people into five senior posts in the last six months. Once you have a clear understanding of the type of person you are looking for, there is no better way of finding the perfect candidate than by having a discussion with Allen Lane."

Ian Knott

ex Director of Finance

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"Allen Lane have always provided an excellent service for myself and the Trust in finding the best candidates for roles. All the candidates that are recommended are thoroughly appraised and are of a high calibre."

Roshan Patel

Deputy Director of Finance

West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

"We appointed Allen Lane to source an interim Deputy Director of Finance and the permanent appointment. Both selected candidates have proved to be strong appointments. Maurice and Beth were both very responsive, gave good advice and partnered with us to deliver these appointments."

Ian Chivers

Director of Finance & Operations

GOSH Charity

"We have used Allen Lane to help fill a number of permanent and temporary roles. Adrian and his team understand the type of person we are looking for and provide a range of candidates with a variety of experience who fit the brief. We have been very pleased with people we have recruited through Allen Lane and I would happily recommend them to others."

Nicola Arnold

Director Financial Control & Analysis

University College London

"Allen Lane helped us appoint a Head of Finance. Maurice put together a very impressive short list which led to the appointment of a really great candidate. The service provided throughout the appointment process was excellent."

Andrew Whitehead

Director of Finance

Marie Curie Cancer Care

"Allen Lane took great care and time over this piece of recruitment and their expertise meant that they could identify candidates that would really fit into the Innisfree family. Allen Lane went above and beyond our expectations throughout the process. I would unreservedly recommend Allen Lane and look forward to working with them in the future."

John Delahunty

Chief Executive

Innisfree Housing Association

"It is always reassuring to find a recruitment company you can work with which is totally reliable and genuinely makes the effort to find the right candidate for the client as opposed to the right commission figure to help meet their end of month targets"

JOB SEARCH

SPECIALIST AREAS

FINANCE

The improvement of public finances presents a moral and technical challenge. With an economy a sixth smaller than expected before the financial crisis, and cross sector spending cuts that prevail, opportunities within the sector call for real commercial thinking and flair to achieve more with less.

The HR function of public organisations is by and large faced with modest pay rises, budget restrictions, redundancies and restructures. The role of the HR professional in this sector has never demanded nor presented wider skill sets and challenges in delivering higher performance.

The public sector has annual spend of over £150 billion to deliver goods and services to the public. Effectively managed procurements with thoughtful planning and execution are essential to achieving value for money (VFM) for the taxpayer.

Investment in technology and professionals who can build, create and use it effectively is now understood to be critical to public sector business transformation (maintaining the financial and organisational health of the business) and service transformation (delivering improved public services at lower cost)